Sunday, December 15, 2013

Continued

So, yeah, the thing that really annoyed me yesterday was when a friend of mine kept voicing her concern over my well-being in tackling the snow on the way home. Sure, other people had said, "I hope you'll be ok going home, Anne." I assured them that I would be fine, that I'd gone through snow storms before in my wheelchair many, many times before It was a hassle, sure, but like anybody else, I would muddle through as best I could and get home safely.

The difference between those people and my friend was that they accepted my explanation and understood that I knew what I was talking about. My friend never stopped trying to convince me to go home early because it was "dangerous" for someone like me! Not only that, but she kept trying to get Sarah to side with her and persuade me to go home as soon as possible. Sarah, to her credit, remained firm and told my friend repeatedly that it was my decision to make and nobody else's.

I don't know what's wrong with my friend! I've had similar conversations with her before, but she never seems to understand that her actions are both insulting and demeaning to me. Why can't she understand that I'm fifty-five years old, and that I've been driving a wheelchair for forty-five years through all kinds of weather. I feel proud to have this attitude that nothing will stop me - and for someone like her to treat me like a mindless china doll absolutely infuriates me!

During my time at St. Lawrence Market yesterday, I was texting back and forth with my brother. Do you know what he said about the snow? "I hope you put a hat and gloves on." I told him that yes, yes, I did - and that was the end of it! Brotherly concern, fine. Overbearing, opinionated, and disrespectful comments from a friend, not so fine.

I think I need a serious conversation with my friend, or to end our friendship altogether.

On the bright side, I met two men who were very excited about my art. One man said he'd like to display my art in his restaurant. He said that he would come back with a business card, and we could discuss how to proceed. The other man said my art was so good, I should be selling it at triple the price. That made me so happy!

But what really made my day was when my fan, who usually gives me flowers, gave me a gift card for Starbucks. I thought it was maybe for $10.00 or maybe $20.00 - but when I got home I found out it was for $60.00!! That was so sweet of him! Maybe I'll give him one of my paintings to say thank you; he always raves about how much he loves my art.